single parenting with Amber Jones

Prior to my last child being born, I used to work out with a personal trainer three time per week — and I must say I loved it!!  Don’t anyone ever tell you that they are not worth their weight in gold because they absolutely are……..if you ever want to have that gorgeous body hire a personal trainer and they will get you there. 

Unfortunately I do not have the funds (or time) right now to go back to those grueling workouts with my trainer.  But, I also know that in order to get the best workout for my body I need to keep the routine changing so that my muscles don’t become stagnant.  So after looking on the internet I found that on www.shape.com– the magazine — they have supplied a bunch of different articles with a variety of work out routines within them.  Right now I am using the Meltdown Cardio Workout every other day and then running on the opposite days to keep up my endurance.  With the inclines built into the Meltdown I can really feel it in my butt — and that is always good!

So, get off your rear………take a look at the workouts that appeal to you — and head to the gym!

I have had some requests for the Skin Medica eye cream that the medical spa had recommended — you’ll see it posted below.  I do have to say that it has done really well for the dark circles under my eyes.  If you have children that don’t let you get a good night sleep I highly recommend it — just don’t be surprised by the cost.  The good news is that you don’t have to use very much at all so it will last a long timeJ

Over the holidays I decided to buy myself a gift from Santa — and this year I decided that I was going to treat myself to some good skin care products.  So I went to a medical spa and recieved a free skin analysis to determine what products would work best for my skin.  Because I have somewhat oily skin and ever since I have had my kids I get periodic break outs (especially with my period) they recommended that I start with some products to try to reduce the oil and help repair some of the damage that I had done with other products first.  I do have to give them credit — my skin has been clear ever since.  In addition for the first time in a long time my skin seems to really soak up the moisturizure to obtain the full benefit of the product. 

Because I’m not getting any younger, they also prescribed a night time eye repair cream……………to hopefully keep the crows feet at bay.  Given the fact that I haven’t noticed any additional aging I guess I’m happy but for the price I also haven’t noticed a huge improvement either.  But I do have to give them some credit due to the fact that I currently don’t have wrinkles there so it is difficult to measure. 

Overall, I give the Skin Medica line a definite recommendation for its quality and effectiveness.  As for the price…….with these economic times……lets just say I might be checking to see if I can work there part time to get a discount on the productsJ

So I have a confession to make….remember my New Year’s Resolution’s?  Well, let’s just say they have gotten off to a rocky start.  First of all, I was doing really well on giving up my Mountain Dew for Power Ade Zero but not so hot on my working out …………actually not at all on my working out resolution.  It just didn’t fit into my daily schedule — too much to do and way too little time to do it. 

To solve the problem I decided to see if I could adjust my schedule at work to come in one hour earlier — this would provide me with two hours after work before my youngest needs to be picked up from daycare.  Enough time to change clothes, drive to the gym, and get in a 45 minute work out before having to leave to pick up my daughter.  I have to say it is only Tuesday but so far so goodJ

This is not to say that it isn’t a lot of work……just getting ready for the work out is exercise.  But, I can honestly say that I love the feeling you have after you exercise – it just feels so good to get rid of all of the stress, excess salt, etc. that you sweat out with a really good work out.  So I’m hopeful that soon I will begin to see the results of my effort with an increase in energy and a decrease in weight……I’ll keep you posted.

So far I have become aware of two scams regarding the Acai Berry — one is a pyramid scheme where you have to pay a large sum of money to begin selling acai berry juice and other products.  The company is hoping for you to recruit other members to gain a referral — however as we know from other pyramid operations the only ones making big money are those at the top.

Secondly there is another company offering a free trial of pills, however, some people have reported actually getting charged for the sample or others have reported that the company will just keep sending you pills (without you ordering them) that they are charging you for.  Be careful out there! 

I’ve been seeing all kinds of advertisements and blogs about successful diets with acai berries combined with colon cleansings that stated they were recommended on the Oprah Winfrey Show by Dr. Oz.  Because I am not a very trusting person, I went to the Oprah Winfrey site and there is a statement listed that she is not endorsing any of these products and her attorneys are looking into these advertisements/blogs.

Still curious, I did a search of her website and did find several articles where they did recommend the acai berry for anti-aging, increased energy, etc.  In one of the articles, Dr. Perricone stated it could be found in juice form at health stores and gourmet food stores as well.  So, my question to you is this, has anyone purchased either the dietary suppliments or the juice containing this product?  If so, does it work?  I would love to try it but I don’t want to waste my hard earned money on a scamJ 

 Let’s face it ladies, being a hot mama is not only a lot of work, it is also extremely expensive.  I will be the first to confess that I went from being a hot mama BK (before Kennedy) to letting myself go after her birth.  But, I’ve decided that I’m going to turn things around this year. 

To demonstrate my devotion I went to the Medical Spa and purchased some SkinMedica and SkinCeuticals beauty items.  OMG - I think I’m still in sticker shock!  But, I’m at that stage in my life where it is probably cost effective to spend money on the items that I use on my face to help keep me looking younger rather than purchasing Botox and fillersJ Once I’ve had enough time to give them an honest report you will hear all about them.   

In addition, I have also decided to change my dietary habits.  I’m starting with the biggest one of them all - giving up my Mountain Dew.  It started today which is really rough considering I didn’t get to bed till after 2 AML  I will quickly confess that I am addicted to not only the caffeine but also the sugar.  I read on my water bottle that a 12 oz. can of regular soda contains 10 tsp. of sugar - considering that I start my day with a 20 oz. bottle I am hopeful that I will quickly see the effects of my change.  Rather than depriving myself completely, I am attempting to go without until Friday night, which is the new pizza, pop, and chips night.  It will be my weekly reward for being good the other 6 days - plus I don’t have to cook (bonus!). 

I would also like to begin an exercise routine but I’m starting with easy goals first so I can feel some success and then move forward with the others.  Time management is a real issue for me with an exercise routine - once I get that figured out I’ll definitely get started.

My final goal for 2009 is to build back my emergency fund.  Our family ended up having a number of medical expenses in 2008 which took the bulk of our savings.  You’ll be hearing more about that with the continued segments on Mama’s on a Budget. 

I hope you had a wonderful New Year’s!  Whatever your goals are for the upcoming year I am confident you will be able to achieve them - just look at what you have done so far………truly amazing!

 Originally I was planning to post for you today my beauty goals for 2009; however, that was prior to me beginning the laundry.  Ugh, the joys of Sunday afternoon’s household chores.  First and foremost I have to tell you that I am a laundry FREAK.  I used to make fun of my sister-in-law for spending hours cleaning the stains out of her kids clothing -but now I can totally relate.  So I thought my tip for today would be my best tools in the laundry room. 

It all begins with the washing machine - if you do not have a front load washing machine you have no idea what you are missing.  One load can easily equal what used to be two loads in my old machine.  Not to mention the fact that your clothes come out so much cleaner and dryer…..it had to be a woman who invented this baby! 

Next it is all about the Zout.  It’s a stain cleaner that you can purchase at Target or Wal-Mart but initially it was made for nursing uniforms.  This stuff is awesome!  My daughter comes home absolutely filthy from daycare but no matter what the stain of the day - this stuff can take it out.  Also since it was made for nurses it takes off blood with absolutely no problems.  (My toddler gets nosebleeds in the winter and my teenager has irregular periods.)

Finally, I’m a huge fan of bleaching my whites.  Believe me with a front load and bleach you will have the whitest undies until you are so sick of them you decide to throw them awayJ And for the darks, especially clothes for work, there is nothing that keeps the color better then Woolite for Darks.  I love it! 

Hopefully these tips will help your next load of laundry come out a little bit cleaner and brighter.  You might be wondering why I placed this post under the category of Hot Mama — just remember your kids are a reflection of you.  Being a Hot Mama doesn’t just mean that you look good — it also means your kids do as well. 

Amber